BURLESQUE REVIEW - THE SPARE RIB: A DECADE IN THE MAKING THE EVERYMAN DOWNSTAIRS

 

This one night show was a special celebration of 10 years of burlesque, drag and cabaret from The Spare Rib, a production team who have a focus on extravagant entertainment and inclusivity for all.

It was a packed house at the intimate venue with many friends and family of the show’s cast attending and the atmosphere was vibrant, warm and inviting.

Compere, Ember Orchid, international drag king, hosted this event superbly, introducing each act with a short synopsis of their talent and details of their work interspersed with jokes and personal stories and disclosures.

The cast line-up featured burlesque and drag artists Shardeazy Afrodesiak, Nat Funni, Alabama Whirley, Lacey Dream, Lady Blue Phoenix, Meena Helvetia, Minxie Coquette and Tilly Mint.

The performances were a combination of sophistication, comedy and self-expression which were often outrageous, sometimes thought-provoking and a colourful celebration of plus-sized bodies and downright silliness. 

The costumes were spectacular, ranging from the opulent style of glamourous, Meena Helvetia to the outrageous charm of Nat Funni dressed as a rabbit adorned with  bunny ears and a purple wig and Lacey Dream clad in pink silk lingerie with outrageous eye make-up and thigh high boots. Special mention must be made of Minxie Coquette, seven months pregnant, entertaining with her Miss Piggy performance. Minxie has produced Spare Rib  shows for the past 10 years and is retiring prior to the birth of her first child, handing over the reigns to co-producer, Tilly Mint.

Most of the acts lip-synced to various musical tracks except for Tilly Mint, (producer at Glorified Cabaret, Birkenhead) who entertained singing live with renditions of Liza Minnelli’s ‘Cabaret’ and the Doris Day 1950’s hit,  ‘Que Sera Sera’. All performers moved amongst the audience and paraded up and down the centre aisle during their performances which was greatly appreciated by the encouraging audience.

All acts performed sassy stripteases, showing breasts adorned with nipple tassels and bare bottoms  with apple tassels, all presented in a fun way along with energetic acrobatic movements, daring displays of agility whilst cosseted in tight corsets, fishnet stockings with suspenders, thigh-high sparkly boots, extra-large wigs and enormous feather boas.

This was a celebration which was greatly appreciated by the supportive audience who applauded loudly throughout and participated at every opportunity with loud cheering, shouts and whoops.

This is an 18+ Adults Only show which has themes of race, gender, body positivity and sexuality delivered through music, dance and lip syncing with gender-bending performances; it also has occasional political themes.

Reviewer - Anne Pritchard On – 28th March 2025